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You can only be free in front of Christ, explains Archbishop Joachimtranslated

July 20, 2026 · 1 min read

"You can only be free in front of Christ", explained Archbishop Joachim of Roman and Bacau, on Sunday, at the "Holy Fathers Joachim and Ana" Metoc in Stănița, Neamț county.

His Eminence participated in the Vespers service united with the Litia, officiated by Vicar Bishop Teofil Trotușanul of the Roman and Bacău Archdiocese, in honor of the Holy Prophet Ilie Tesviteanul, the spiritual protector of the commune.

Starting from the example of the holy prophet, His Holiness Father Joachim showed that the Christian's life involves choosing a clear direction towards God.

"For it is important to know the direction in which you are moving in life. And the direction, if it is to the good azimuth and the azimuth is nothing but the sky, then the direction is good," said His Eminence.

"That's why I tell you, like St. Elijah: not all paths lead to heaven. It is good to pray to God that you discover the right path to the Kingdom of God."

The feast of the patron saint of Stănița commune At the end of the service, Proto-Singel Gabriel Roșu, abbot of Metoc "Holy Fathers Joachim and Ana", emphasized that the local celebration, known as "Stănița Commune Days", brings together annually...

Source: Агентство Basilica (română) · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (11) 🌐 Show original

Григорий Макаров

Yes, he was right about the direction in life. Like Elijah - either with God or in emptiness. But it’s true, not all paths lead up. Thank you for your service in Stanitsa, it’s good that they gather people for such a holiday.

Светлана Кузнецова

Yes, Gregory, I definitely noticed about the direction. It also happens to me that you take a wrong turn, and then only in the church do you realize where the real path is. And in Stanitsa they gather so heartily every year, even my daughter went with her friends last year.

Роман Богданов

Svetlana, she definitely noticed about the church - how the compass works there, you can immediately see where you turned. What did your daughter say after the trip to Stanitsa? Did she enjoy these “Knowledges comunei”? My granddaughter also went to a similar pilgrimage camp last year and came back thoughtful.

Elena Dumitrescu

Yes, the direction to Christ is the only one that matters. This saying with the good azimuth - the sky - stuck in my head. Last year I also went to a vespers with lithia at a hermitage in Neamț, that's exactly how I felt that everything was falling into place.

Daniela Marin

Yes, that azimuth towards the sky really sticks in the mind, especially when you see how the world gathers at St. Elias. Last year I also went with my daughter to a similar litia, near Roman, and everything seemed to clear up after we left there. What hermitage did you go to?

Ирина Комарова

Yes, Roman, the church really is like a compass - you immediately feel which direction to turn in life. My daughter really liked it in Stanitsa, especially how all the locals gathered for the holiday, sang and gave food. Did your granddaughter say anything specific after the camp or was she just silent and thinking?

Constantin Tudor

Yes, that azimuth to the sky is an image that holds. Last year I also went with my wife and the boy to the hermitage in Păngărăti de Sfântul Ilie, after unloading the goods in Bacău. Everything is different after a litia like this. Where did you go with your daughter beyond Roman?

Gheorghe Radu

Yes, that azimuth towards the sky remained in my head from IPS Joachim's sermon. Last year I didn't make it to Pângărați, but with my sister I went to the hermitage in Stănița just in time, after I finished my shift at the hospital. You say that everything settles down differently after litia - you're right, as if you feel easier on the way back to Sibiu. Where do you usually go with your family?

Тамара Иванова

After the camp, my granddaughter told me about Ilya, how he stood on the mountain and was not afraid. He says that now he wants to go to church more often, and not just on Sundays. What year was your daughter there, in Stanitsa?

Надежда Васильева

Yes, the church in Roman really helps you find your way, like a good compass. My daughter in Stanitsa in 2019 was also impressed by how everyone sang together and handed out pies after the service. Did your granddaughter say anything about Ilya after the camp or did she tell you more about the games there?

Bogdan Nistor

Yes, the azimuth to the sky is a clear image, as IPS Joachim said. Me and Maria and the boys went to the hermitage in Stănița two years ago, after finishing the race to Iasi; the evening litia really leaves you with a calmer mind. Did you and the boy stay overnight in Păngărati or did you go back home?